World Menopause Day is celebrated annually on October 18th. For those unfamiliar with this day, it is meant to spread awareness, education and support for menopause. 

Menopause is much more than just a physical change, and can affect women completely differently than others. This is why educating yourself about the potential outcomes and options available to you is extremely important. Menopause is a significant transition and time for self awareness and self care. 

What is menopause? 

Menopause occurs when a woman stops getting her period, and signals the end of a woman’s ability to have children. Menopause is complete when a woman stops getting her periods for a full year. 

When do women experience menopause? 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the average age of menopause is 51 years old. However, women can go into menopause from their thirties to their fifties, and even later. If you are wondering when you might go into menopause, ask your mother as this tends to be a family trait. 

What are the symptoms of menopause? 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the main symptoms of menopause are: 

• Hot flashes: the most common symptom occurring in 75% of women. This sudden raise in body temperature can periodically last for two years or less. 

• Vaginal atrophy: dryness and thinning of tissues which can cause sex to become painful, urinary tract infections and other related side effects. 

• Relaxation of the pelvic muscles: can lead to urinary incontinence and other pelvic issues.

• Cardiac effects: you may experience dizziness and heart rate palpitations. 

• Hair growth: you might either notice increased body hair, particularly on your face, or thinning of hair on the scalp. Both are common in menopause. 

• Mental health: the dip in estrogen can cause nervousness, irritability, fatigue, and insomnia, which can negatively affect some women’s mental health. 

Is there treatment for menopause symptoms? 

While these symptoms all seem *glamorous*, you can seek treatment to help with these menopause side effects. There are multiple methods to treat the symptoms of menopause, but here are some of the common methods: 

• Hormone Therapy (HT): “Hormone therapy (HT) involves the taking a combination of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause. HT is most commonly prescribed in pill form. However, estrogen can also be given by using skin patches and vaginal creams.” Consult with your doctor if you think that this might be the best method to treat your symptoms.  

• Estrogen Therapy (ET): “Estrogen therapy (ET) involves taking estrogen alone, which is no longer being made by the body. ET is often prescribed for women who have had a hysterectomy. Estrogen is prescribed as pills, skin patches, and vaginal creams.” Consult your doctor before trying this method. 

• Non-Hormonal Treatment: “This type of treatment often involves the use of other types of medicines to relieve some of the symptoms associated with menopause.”

If you are currently going through menopause, we are here for you as you embrace this change. So many other women are out there experiencing the same things that you are, and reaching out for support and others to talk to is huge! 

Check out the Red Hot Mamas, a support group and educational center for menopause. We love their community forum where you can ask questions, and comment on other women’s posts to show that you are NOT alone in this!